Polls are a matter of opinion and are open to criticism. The turn of the century inspired newspapers, sports publications, TV networks, and sports-talk radio to conduct hundreds of All-Century sports figures and teams.
Witness the heralded "ESPN Greatest Athletes of the Century" countdown. Michael Jordan was selected first, beating out Babe Ruth. Many of America's top sportswriters questioned Jordan's superiority to athletes like Jim Brown, Jim Thorpe, or Jackie Robinson, all-time greats who excelled in several sports, both on amateur and professional levels.
Jordan was a panel member on the ESPN poll. Is it possible that his presence on the selection committee affected the outcome of this survey?
The majority of polls provoke controversy and arouse interest. Dissenters have a right to express their opinions and vent their outrage. On the other hand, publications have the right (and luxury) to control and maintain all written material.
On February 24, I received a release from the Professional Women's Bowlers Association with the following headline: BOWLER OF THE DECADE ... IT'S MACPHERSON FOR THE NINETIES.
The PWBA news release further stated: "... the vote, conducted by the Bowlers Journal [International] magazine that polls writers and industry leaders, is the official vote for the honor and has been for four decades."
I realize Bowlers Journal International reserved the right to conduct their poll in any manner it chooses. Nevertheless, the above statement aroused my curiosity and inspired the following thought: How did Bowlers Journal International determine which writers and bowling leaders were knowledgeable enough to undertake this responsibility?
Although I was not invited to participate in the poll, I respect the intent of the Bowlers Journal staff and commend it for creating a unique and provocative topic. However, in the Bowlers Journal International Top 100 Bowlers of the Century, the panel seemingly dwelled on the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s eras and apparently disregarded bowling statistics of the ensuing years.
The selection of Wendy Macpherson as Bowler of the Decade was rather ambiguous. Mind you, this is the same Wendy Macpherson Bowlers Journal International completely ignored when the magazine announced its 100 greatest bowlers of the 20th century.
Did the BJI panel of experts just goof when it named 100 bowlers, including 16 women, over Wendy on the list?
Did the BJI panel of experts just goof?
Here is Wendy's record as issued by Bowlers Journal International: For the decade, Macpherson won 13 titles, two of which were majors, captured the high average award twice (1997 and 1999), and led all contenders in points. Macpherson made 60 televised finals appearances, second only to Leanne Barrette's 62. She also had the best overall decade average (212.21). She was Player of the Year in 1996, 1997, and 1999 and also led in earnings for the decade with $766,119.
Wendy's strong finish during the latter part of the '99 season may have strengthened her claim for Bowler of the Year and possibly swayed voters to shift their positions on the Bowler of the Decade Award.
Nevertheless, how could BJI panelists ignore Macpherson? Her record, prior to her 1999 accomplishments, was far superior to many on the Top 100 Bowlers of the Century list. Here are highlights of her career prior to 1999:
Did the BJI panel of voters for the Top 100 of the Century have any of these facts? Did they know that Wendy was the youngest player to ever win the Triple Crown (the 1986 U.S. Open, 1986 Queens, and the 1990 Sam's Town) at age 22? Did they know that she was a WIBC All-American four times, a Bowlers Journal All-American team four times, and was honorary captain in 1997?
In addition to Wendy Macpherson, how could this committee overlook Robin Romeo Mossontte and Lorrie Nichols, two of the most prolific bowlers of all time?
Robin, a 16-time titlist, is a seven-time WIBC All-American, five-time Bowlers Journal All-American, and is a member of both the PWBA and WIBC Halls of Fame. Most significant, Romeo holds PWBA records for the most consecutive match play appearances (77) and the most consecutive cashes (78)—two records that may never be broken ... by men or women.
Considering BJI panel member Shirley Garms was her teammate in Chicago for a number of years, how could Lorrie Nichols, a 15-time title-holder, including the U.S. Open and the PWBA National, be overlooked?
I believe Bowlers Journal International has an obligation to be accurate and insightful on a poll that honors the greatest bowlers of the century. After all, it only happens once in anyone's lifetime. Excluding deserving individuals not only affects the players; it has a profound effect on their families, close friends, and many bowling fans like myself who take these things seriously.
PBA Hall of Famer John Jowdy is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.